How does family socioeconomic status affect creativity? The role of creative self-efficacy and critical thinking disposition

Family socioeconomic status (SES) has a positive impact on individual creativity; however, the mechanism of this relationship needs to be further examined. From the perspective of investment theory of creativity, this study is the first to discuss the role of creative self-efficacy (CSE) and critical thinking disposition (CTD) in the relationship between SES and creativity. A total of 441 college students completed four questionnaires; the results showed that SES significantly positively predicted college students' creative achievement; SES also predicted creative achievement through the mediating role of CSE, which was moderated by CTD. Explicitly, creative achievement is synergized by CSE and CTD. With the improvement in the CTD level, the positive predictive effect of CSE on creative achievement was significantly enhanced. The results revealed an intermediary path and its boundary conditions in the relationship between SES and creativity, which have practical implications for improving individual creativity.